Pack carrier



Jan. 13, 1970 R. H. ROMNEY PACK CARRIER Filed June 10, 1966 IN VENTOR RUSSELL H ROMNEY BY M K HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent US. Cl. 28754 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention provides an improved, structural interconnection member suitable for incorporation in hikers pack frames, for example: in particular, cross, T, and pivotal interconnections are provided in durable, and inexpensively manufactured and assembled constructions wherein legs of the interconnection member, designed to receive yet another part, are spreadable apart to provide for the introduction therebetween of an external member, intended for transverse disposition relative thereto, and intended for positioning at a central hollow area of the interconnection member; a mounting boss or plug is integral with the medial portion of the interconnection member to accommodate the mounting thereto of an additional external member.

The present invention relates to pack frames and associated structures and, more particularly, to a new and improved pack frame and allied structure which will be versatile in use, inexpensive to produce, and perform a variety of functions in the field.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved pack frame and associated structure for field use.

A further object is to provide structural support for pack frames otherwise having simply transverse, structural cross-members.

An additional object is to provide structural interconnection means for accommodating both pivotal and fixed T constructions, and also for accommodating fixed cross constructions in pack frames and other structures.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded view, taken along the arcuate line 1-1 in FIGURE '2, of certain interconnecting structure shown in the hikers pack frame of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 2 is a rear view of the pack frame wherein the same includes structural bracing means having unique T and cross connections.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the lowermost structure member of T inter-connection member illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the structural interconnection means, shown in middle portion of FIGURE 1, which is intended for use in cross structures.

In summary, the present invention is T fixed T and cross interconnection structure for pack frames and other structures. The interconnection structures shown are extremely inexpensive to manufacture and assemble and are yet positive and reliable for field use.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, the manner of fixed or even pivotal securement of an external member such as member 36 to its respective cross mernber 11 is accommodated by employment of a suitably contoured engagement member 12 which is constructed to be spreadable ice apart for mounting purposes. Members 12 in FIGURE 3 is shown to include a pair of leg means 13 and 14, and a head integral therewith, delineated 15, which includes a hollow open area 16. Pin receiving bore 17 is supplied between the two leg means. chamfered areas 18 and 19 and also 20 and 21 may be supplied a member to accommodate easy insertion of an external member through slit 22, contiguous with the aforementioned leg means 13 and 14, and finally into hollow area 16. The structure also includes an abutment shoulder 23 serving as a stop abutment for a tubular member slipped over the leg means 13 and 14.

In practice, the part 12 is preferably made of a resilient plastic such as that going under the Du Pont trademark Delrin. The parts 12 are first pivotally mounted over the associated cross member 11 by the leg means 13 and 14 being spread apart so that the hollow area 16 may conveniently receive the associated cross member 11.

Member 12, it will be understood, is in fact a T construction member for accommodating either pivotal of fixed T connections. Where pin insert 24 is sufiiciently long enough and the aperture 25 thereof suitably placed for alignment with aperture A, then the former may in fact be inserted in the wall aperture 29, see FIGURE 3, of member M (such as cross member 11) so that member M is precluded from turning within hollow area 16. This will not be the case, however, in connection with the pivotal securement of external member M to the member 12.

Another structural member 30 may be used in the construction and is ideally suited, as well, to other types of constructions wherein structural crosses are to be fabricated. See also FIGURE 4 as regard the details of this member. The structural interconnection means 30 is shown in FIGURE 1 to include a medial portion 31 having hollow area or bore 32. A first structural member engagement portion 33 is integral therewith, includes pin aperture 34 and, further, offers a shoulder abutment 35 for fixing the end placement of a first external member 36 to be thrust upon portion 33. A second structural member engagement portion 38 is likewise integral with medial portion 31, includes a slit 39 communicating with hollow area 32, and likewise is provided with a shoulder 40 serving as a stop abutment for a second external structural member 42. Reinforcing pin 43, having aperture 44 for the reception of pin 45, may be included to fixedly key external structural member 42 to the interconnection means 30. Preferably, chamfered areas 46 and 47 are provided to facilitate the insertion of an external cross member M (such as cross member 11), see FIGURE '2, through the slit 39 and into the hollow area 32. Pin aperture 50 is provided to accommodate pin 45 in FIG- URE 1. The slit 39 may be considered to be of nominally, normally closed construction which is openable by virtue of the material of the interconnection means 30, preferably Delrin, so that the member may be inserted through the slit and into hollow area 32 and come to rest.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the manner in which the structure shown in FIGURES 1, 3 and 4 is used as structural bracing means 51 which structurally reinforces the pack frame 10, and, additionally, precludes external members from slipping through areas between cross members 11. In FIGURE 2 the vertical structural members are numeraled in accordance with the code given in FIG- URE 3.

I claim:

1. A unitary structural interconnection means comprising first and second, structural member engagement portions constructed and arranged to receive and retain external structural members, and a medial portion intermediate with respect to and integral with said engagement portions, said medial portion being provided with a hollow area with an enlarged transverse bore for re ceiving and retentively encasing a particular structural member, said second engagement portion having a normally closed slit extending from one end thereof to said transverse bore to provide lateral access therethrough to said hollow area of said medial portion, said first engagement portion comprising a solid plug extending from the other side of said hollow area and in axial alignment with said second engagement portion and including means to retain another structural member thereon, said second engagement portionbeing constructed to be resiliently openable along said slit, sufficient to admit said particular structural member into said hollow area.

2. A structural interconnection means comprising first and second, structural member engagement portions constructed and arranged to receive and retain external structural members, and a medial portion intermediate with respect to and integral with said engagement portions, said medial portion being provided with a hollow area for receiving and retentively encasing a particular structural member, said second engagement portion having a normally closed slit extending from one end thereof to said hollow area to provide access therethrough to said hollow area of said medial portion, said second engagement portion being constructed to be resiliently .openable along said slit, sufiicient to admit said particular structural member into said hollow area, and wherein said second engagement portion is chamfered at that portion thereof contiguous with said slit and said hollow area of said medial portion for facilitating positioning of said particular member into said hollow area.

3. Structure according to claim 2 wherein said second engagement portion is chamfered at opposite extremities of said slit, for facilitating insertion into and through said slit of said particular external member and final deposit thereof into said hollow area of said medial portion.

4. A cross structure including, in combination, a structural interconnection member comprising first and second,

structural member engagement portions, and a medial 4O portion intermediate with respect to and integral with said engagement portions, said medial portion being provided' with a hollow area for receiving-and retentively encasing a particular structural member, said second engagement portion having a slit communicating with said hollow area and the exterior to provide access therethrough to said hollow area of said medial portion, said second engagement portion being constructed to be openable along said slit to admit said particular structural member into said hollow area; a first structural member secured to and over said first engagement portion; a particular structural member inserted into .and through said slit and positioned in said open area of said medial portion, said second engagement portion being provided with a hollow aperture axially communicating from the exterior to said hollow area of said medial portion, said particular structural member being provided with a wall aperture disposed in alignment with said axial aperture of said second engagement portion; a positioning pin disposed through said wall aperture and also through said second engagement portion; a second structural member circumscribingly engaging said second engagement portion; and respective means for securing said first structural member to said first engagement portion and also for securing said second structural member to second engagement portion. I

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1877 Snook. 2/1962 Back.

FOREIGN PATENTS 1/ 193 8 Australia. 5/ 1943 Germany.

US. Cl. X.R. '287l27 

